PESHAWAR: Khyber tribal area leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have accused the rival independent candidates of buying votes in NA-44 and demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan to take notice of the violation of its code of conduct and disqualify those involved in unfair means.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Friday, a group of local PTI leaders led by its candidate from NA-44, Haji Iqbal Afridi, said that the violations in ongoing campaign for the general elections seemed as if the election commission was least bothered to implement its code of conduct in the tribal area.

He claimed that video clips of distribution of cash among voters would soon be produced to the ECP.

Claim independents buying votes of people in NA-44

He said that his party did not believe in bribing the people for getting their support in the election and wanted the ECP to ensure free, fair and impartial elections.

He demanded of the caretaker government and ECP to take notice of the pre-poll rigging and distribution of money among voters by independent candidates in the constituency.

He hoped that the people would reject corrupt people in general elections and vote in favour of PTI on July 25.

“We believe in democracy and will raise voice against the sale, purchase of votes. The ECP should check this violation of rules, otherwise it will increase unrest among rest of the candidates,” he said.

On this occasion, independent candidate Abdul Qayyum Afridi announced to withdraw from the election race in favour of PTI candidate Iqbal Afridi.

He appreciated the efforts Iqbal Afridi made for the welfare of internally displaced persons during the past many years and urged the militancy-affected people to support PTI in the election. He hoped that PTI after coming into power would implement the decision regarding Fata-KP merger.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2018